Warner Archive News

There are some interesting new titles out or soon to be released by Warner Archive.

A number of recent releases are remastered, which is very good news. I'm curious whether any of these titles were perhaps remastered some time ago for a possible regular DVD release, or if the number of remastered titles is to meet consumer demand for better quality, especially given the price for an Archive DVD without extras.

In addition to the titles listed below, recent remastered releases include THE HUMAN COMEDY, THE OPPOSITE SEX, and THE SWAN.

NIGHT MUST FALL (1937), for which Robert Montgomery received his first Oscar nomination as Best Actor, is one of those titles which has just been released in a remastered print.

Ginger Rogers' FINISHING SCHOOL (1934), in which she lends support to young lovers Frances Dee and Bruce Cabot, has also been remastered. It's due out December 14th. I especially like this movie, which I own in a VHS print.

Rogers' SUICIDE FLEET (1931), LUCKY PARTNERS (1940), and PRIMROSE PATH (1940) are also said to be out that week. (February 15th Update: These Ginger Rogers titles were pushed back a couple months and were released today.)

The pre-Code HEAT LIGHTNING (1934), starring Ann Dvorak, Aline MacMahon, Preston Foster, and Lyle Talbot, has been remastered. The excellent supporting cast includes Glenda Farrell, Ruth Donnelly, and Frank McHugh.

FORT DOBBS (1958), starring Clint Walker and Virginia Mayo, is yet another new release that's been remastered. There's more info on this film at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

The second season of Walker's TV series CHEYENNE is also just out from the Archive, divided into two sets. TV Shows on DVD explains why a TV show requires more discs in the manufactured-on-demand process than it would using traditional DVDs. The combined two CHEYENNE sets with 10 DVDs have just 20 episodes, as this was a short season for CHEYENNE. Guest stars include James Garner, Peggie Castle, Angie Dickinson, and Diane Brewster.

The Archive seems to have wavered over the past couple years regarding whether to release MAVERICK via the Archive or regular retail sets. Given current trends, I wouldn't be surprised to see an Archive release, although I would prefer regular DVDs; just two episodes per DVD, as is the case with CHEYENNE, isn't very appealing from both storage and pricing angles. However, given the choice of an Archive release or no release at all...well, I guess most MAVERICK fans would be glad to have the Archive option available.

Monday, December 6th Update: There is a 25% off sale today only, with free shipping.